"You are a product of your environment" --Clement Stone (b. 1902) https://archive.is/yPhyn
The unusual ways Western parents raise children
681–684 of 684 posts
Re: The unusual ways Western parents raise children
#682Earlier quoted context omitted.
Breast feeding can be difficult for many reasons. In traditional societies people with experience would take the time to coach a new mother. Sometimes a baby is slow to get the hang of it and will actually lose weight for a while before figuring it out. Allowing your newborn child to lose weight goes against mothering instincts, and without a supporting coach is really hard to accept. And if you "cheat" via bottle, t…
The idea that it's somehow better to have your newborn baby be denied nutrition for their first days of life is a very dangerous one in my opinion. There have been several cases in the U.S., even in recent years, of children becoming very sick and/or permanently disabled because of mothers waiting too long to give up on breast feeding. And, honestly, infant mortality is a real thing. People talk about breast feeding…
There's a right balance, and expert coaches know what that balancing point is.
Another thing I forgot to mention is that in "ancient" societies, other mothers with experience would often help feed a new baby themselves until the new mother got up to speed.
Re: The unusual ways Western parents raise children
#683Earlier quoted context omitted.
I can think of some rather obvious reasons why Kanner would reframe his position publicly. It's just way too taboo. Kanner said that his believed autism had a genetic basis. I think it's a cop-out, as I don't think it makes any sense to blame genetics for the sudden appearance and dramatic rise of autism (and other childhood disorders) over the timespan of a few decades, even if genetics may certainly play a role in…
From the article and his papers it seems he never changed his opinion, but that he was being misrepresented 180 degrees, and that you, in good faith, believed that was his position. I also don't see evidence he claimed it is only genetic reasons. What he hypothesised (supported by current scientific understanding according to [1]) was that both autism and parenting behaviours have a common cause (genetics) making it…
I won't quibble. The larger point is that there are potentially devastating consequences if a child fails to attach to a loving and attentive adult, and that this is not adequately discussed or appreciated in our society.
This is a huge tail risk that every parent should understand. If you are a parent or ever become one, you have the information to look into it and come to your own conclusions.
Re: The unusual ways Western parents raise children
#684One of the hardest thing about being a parent today is the constant shame and confusion about the “right” way to do it. We don’t live in a hunter gatherer society anymore, we just don’t. There’s lots of wisdom in that way of life, and sure we could learn from it — but there’s enough anxiety as it is, parents don’t need more of it. We have three kids and we sleep trained them. (Not a pediatrician, standard disclaimer.…
Can you share more about how you sleep trained them? Thanks.